My first experience (other than on TV) was seeing a couple of our teachers play with String at our Regional Ed Tech Cadre. This app works by printing images, called targets, already made by the company from www.poweredbystring.com. This is a showcase app for the company but is a great way to demonstrate to students what AR is and the possibilities. Of the four examples, the targets demonstrate some of the more advanced features and capabilities that AR can do. Print a few out and try it!

After seeing this, it lead us to spend time experimenting with a free app called Aurasma Lite. Aurasma allows you to view ARs in a visual browser - including ones you make yourself with the app or ones that appear with their big A on products, newspaper ads, etc. More information on Aurasma can be found on their website.

Making my own was pretty fast and easy. The app includes some preloaded (and fun) 3D animations, but for the classroom the biggest tool was being able to make a target show a video that I created. While practicing, I made the power outlet in my room into a train depot (from the preloaded choices) and the room number on our door be a target for a video that I had created on my ipad.

Advantages to AR was that I could create a target and upload my own video all within the one app and device. I didn't have to have an external place (like youtube) or print out my QR code. I just used the pictures in my room. AR is more limiting than QR Codes for what I can make it display - only videos and slideshows - unless you have time and expertise to create 3D diagrams and animations. Possibilities though to add a new intractability with the students' surroundings:
Interactive word walls with video definitions? View video instructions at classroom centers? Reading Rainbow book talks with book cover as target? Any other ideas?